1. < Digestive Health

Small Intestine Bacteria Overgrowth (SIBO)

Posted by jacque6977 @jacque6977, Feb 22, 2017

My wife, after years of suffering from debilitating nausea and fatigue, has finally been diagnosed with SIBO as confirmed by a hydrogen breath test. It is estimated the bacteria has had at least two years to grow and may be well established. She has started on Xifaxan, at $35 per pill, but it is estimated that elimination of the SIBO may take up to six months. Her day now starts with her waking up with nausea and when she has a cup of tea and toast in the morning she gets sick within fifteen minutes thereafter. Her sickness is accompanied by violent belching, and at times she regurgitates liquid vile. The only drug she has for nausea is Zofran which does nothing for her. Are there any other SIBO sufferers that are experiencing the same symptoms, and what are you taking to reduce the nausea?

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saucy | @saucy | Jun 3, 2017
In reply to @jacquelinek1956 "OMGosh, I have the same exact issues! My Gastro. is not very knowledgeable about SIBO and..." + (show)
@jacquelinek1956

OMGosh, I have the same exact issues! My Gastro. is not very knowledgeable about SIBO and I am even surprised he knew to do a breath test. I live in Oklahoma where there is very little concern for health issues, so getting help is impossible!! He keeps treating me with X drug, like you (very expensive, I have no insurance), once it's gone, the issues starts again! It's like a viscous cycle and meantime my life sucks, low on energy lay around alot and afraid to eat for fear of an episode of stomach bloating. SOMEONE has got to get a hold on this and help us ALL!!

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Meds

REPLY
pbleonar | @pbleonar | Jun 8, 2017
In reply to @lizbee78 "I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and..." + (show)
@lizbee78

I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. After 25 years of suffering I am finally feeling well. The Mayo put me through a round of 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria. I was told to begin taking Align Probiotic daily. Probiotics are very important in keeping the bad bacteria from taking over. I include probiotic rich foods in my diet daily in addition to the Align, such as Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, supplemented juice blends. I no longer really need anti-nausea medicine, but I used to take Promethazine, which I found to work better than Zofran. I also found that a simple Gas-X chewable would often help with belching and bloating. SIBO creates an excessive amount of gas. I hope this helps, and that your wife feels better soon!

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May I inquire as to which antibiotics you were prescribed and the dosage. I've been through 3 gastros. They all failed me and I want to know, beyond neomycin and xifaxan, what is possibly usable.

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Jacqueline E Koscheski | @jacquelinek1956 | Jun 9, 2017
In reply to @lizbee78 "I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and..." + (show)
@lizbee78

I was diagnosed at the Mayo Clinic this past November with SIBO, small bowel damage, and Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency. After 25 years of suffering I am finally feeling well. The Mayo put me through a round of 3 different antibiotics to kill the bacteria. I was told to begin taking Align Probiotic daily. Probiotics are very important in keeping the bad bacteria from taking over. I include probiotic rich foods in my diet daily in addition to the Align, such as Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, supplemented juice blends. I no longer really need anti-nausea medicine, but I used to take Promethazine, which I found to work better than Zofran. I also found that a simple Gas-X chewable would often help with belching and bloating. SIBO creates an excessive amount of gas. I hope this helps, and that your wife feels better soon!

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550 xifaxan....I hate the stuff! It makes me so sick, but I was told that's all there is! I wish someone would come up with something better for sure. I am setting myself on the FODMAP diet, taking xifaxan, eating lots of Activa and just making sure I don't eat ANYTHING that will bring the symptoms back!! I am still really tired all the time!

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Jacqueline E Koscheski | @jacquelinek1956 | Jun 9, 2017
In reply to @jacquelinek1956 "OMGosh, I have the same exact issues! My Gastro. is not very knowledgeable about SIBO and..." + (show)
@jacquelinek1956

OMGosh, I have the same exact issues! My Gastro. is not very knowledgeable about SIBO and I am even surprised he knew to do a breath test. I live in Oklahoma where there is very little concern for health issues, so getting help is impossible!! He keeps treating me with X drug, like you (very expensive, I have no insurance), once it's gone, the issues starts again! It's like a viscous cycle and meantime my life sucks, low on energy lay around alot and afraid to eat for fear of an episode of stomach bloating. SOMEONE has got to get a hold on this and help us ALL!!

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Can you copy and paste what you are referring to? Thanks! JK

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Nancy | @upnorthnancy | Jun 12, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @lizbee78, Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information...." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @lizbee78,

Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information.
Although diagnosed with different conditions, @ptfitzy, @michellecrcrn, @tessie, @decosmo, @windwalker, @jillnc, @irene5, @mcpucho, @doron, have all discussed the many benefits of probiotics as well.

@lizbee78, did you have any questions about EPI?

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Can you share the name of your GI physician you saw at Mayo MN?

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lizbee78 | @lizbee78 | Jun 12, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @lizbee78, Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information...." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @lizbee78,

Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information.
Although diagnosed with different conditions, @ptfitzy, @michellecrcrn, @tessie, @decosmo, @windwalker, @jillnc, @irene5, @mcpucho, @doron, have all discussed the many benefits of probiotics as well.

@lizbee78, did you have any questions about EPI?

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Sure. Dr. Andres J. Acosta Cardenas.

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Nancy | @upnorthnancy | Jun 12, 2017
In reply to @kanaazpereira "Hello @lizbee78, Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information...." + (show)
@kanaazpereira

Hello @lizbee78,

Welcome to Connect, and thank you for joining this conversation with such great information.
Although diagnosed with different conditions, @ptfitzy, @michellecrcrn, @tessie, @decosmo, @windwalker, @jillnc, @irene5, @mcpucho, @doron, have all discussed the many benefits of probiotics as well.

@lizbee78, did you have any questions about EPI?

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Thank you!

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Jacqueline E Koscheski | @jacquelinek1956 | Jun 13, 2017
In reply to @jacque6977 "Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis." + (show)
@jacque6977

Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis.

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My gastro put me on the FODMAP diet, however, I can't swear by it. I am still having issues after meds, so anyone on here might have a different one to try.

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lizbee78 | @lizbee78 | Jun 13, 2017
In reply to @jacque6977 "Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis." + (show)
@jacque6977

Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis.

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What probiotic are you taking? I was taking Align, as recommended by my Mayo gastro doctor, but begin having some signs of bacteria overgrowth again. I switched probiotics to Hyperbiotics Pro-15 with 15 billion CFU-15 strains (bought it at Target). I felt better one day later, and have had no more symptoms since I've been taking it.

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Jacqueline E Koscheski | @jacquelinek1956 | Jun 13, 2017
In reply to @jacque6977 "Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis." + (show)
@jacque6977

Xifaxan must have worked because a positive SIBO diagnosis upon retesting showed a negative SIBO diagnosis.

Jump to this post

Thanks, I will have to go by Target and get it. Do you happen to know the cost?

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